Lovers of old objects have a kindred spirit in Justin Power. His South End shop, Pioneer Goods, feels like walking into a rustic New England cabin full of treasures from bygone eras. Having grown up antiquing, Justin has an amazing eye for quality pieces worth restoring. While some of his finds show up with that perfect patina, Justin works wonders on others to recreate that aged elegance.

So, I've got this client. He's a single guy in finance with a BIG budget, and he really needs to upgrade his large SoHo apartment so that it doesn't look like a dorm room anymore. We stain the floors, repaint and buy beautiful, sophisticated furniture that he will be able to keep with him for years. But when it comes to the bedding, I don't want to present him with overpriced Italian sheets or anything feminine. I want masculine. I want modern. I want luxury.

In looking around I stumble into a cool shop called Environment Furniture next to ABC Home (pics above and below). The bedding on their beds is just what I want. It's dark. It's got crazy, luxurious textures in linen, cotton, cashmere and alpaca. I ask them who makes it. They say MATTEO. I ordered three bedding sets for my client the next day.

Matteo is a find. If you've got some money to burn, this small Los Angeles company will serve you really well. Founded by Matthew Lenoci in 1996 (a Harvard grad in 1989), the idea behind Matteo is straight ahead: to "create simple sheets from the most luxurious textiles in the world. "

Matteo has three lines, Matteo, Due and Guest, with fabric woven in Italy and sewn in LA. We don't care for the third, Due is more affordable and sold by our friends at Design Public (at lunch with the Matteo crew below), and Matteo is the nicest. The sheets come in heavy 100% cotton and linen, always garment washed, with a couple really, really saturated colors (and white of course).

There are many add-ons, such as bed skirts, duvets, shams, quilts, and really beautiful blankets and throws. The easiest way to order is through their site, and don't be surprised if it takes awhile to arrive (ours did too). Everything is sewn next to their design studio and arrives in individual cotton bags. The attention to detail is very nice.

And as for our client, while we can't show pictures (yet) it certainly doesn't look like a dorm room anymore...

After an inspiring trip to Bali, Caroline returned to Brooklyn and her paintings started to take the form of textiles. At first she just made gifts for friends and family, but before long she started getting orders from some of her favorite stores and her company was born. Now she sells worldwide and works exclusively with a cooperative of Guatemalan artisans in New Bedford, Massachusetts who print each piece by hand.

Hungarian-born industrial artist Eva Zeisel was one of the masters of midcentury modernism and her work has a distinctive organic and timeless sensuality. While she's perhaps best known for her work in ceramics, she also designed furniture, rugs, and home accessories. Though pieces can be purchased at places like Crate & Barrel and Design Within Reach, the online retail store Eva Zeisel Originals, which was launched by her grandson, Adam, offers the complete line of Century and 101 ceramics, her iconic tableware, as well as furniture and home accessories.

Store History

Founded by: Rob and Steve

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

For years, we aspired to name-brand luxury furniture beyond our reach. The alternatives were mass-produced, uninspired, or "value" - with pieces that literally wouldn't hold up. Faced with these options, we decided to craft our own approach. Built on a foundation of authentic relationships, nothing stands between our maker's craftsmanship and the affordability we can uniquely pass along to you.

In 2012, Krista Stovel, Leah Stovel and Avery Bloom founded Nell & Mary with the mission to create a home goods collection with a refined, unique aesthetic, while remaining environmentally and socially conscious. Every piece in the line is cut, sewn and screenprinted in their studio/micro-factory in Portland, Oregon. All printed artwork is original to their studio, and they source materials which are either “rescued” (deadstock) or organic, and screenprint with water based inks.

According to my friend Pomme, the litmus test on whether a guy is boyfriend material or just a one night stand kind of guy depends on his choice of art. "Basically, if he's got the James Dean poster or the Marlon Brando shot, his expiration date is the morning." While I try not to judge quite so harshly, she does have a point: if your walls are still sporting those particular iconic black and whites (Audrey Hepburn from IKEA also fits in here), it's time for an upgrade. While the Library of Congress archives are one source for awe-inspiring photographs, you can make it easy on yourself and head straight for Archivast.

When it comes to bringing a fresh look into our homes, most of us don't want to do over the whole space — we're just looking to do something that will add a little, well, oomph to our place. And that's exactly the thinking behind Oomph, a home accessories and case goods brand that is sold online and through a select group of stores (House of Honey, Lotus Blue, Gracious Home, Tracker Home Decor and F Gerald New Home are some places to find it). Founders Amy Rice, Patty Hopple and Louise Brooks came up with the notion that there are three things that can totally transform any room (besides paint!): occasional tables (that can be customized in your favorite hue), slipcovered chairs, and colorful pillows.

Tucked away on a leafy side street in Glasgow's west end, Rowdy Roddy Vintage offers an exclusive collection of clothes, toys, accessories and homewares for stylish kiddos! Their range includes beautiful and unique vintage finds and up-and-coming independent brands. If you’re looking for something unique and stylish for the little ones in your life, this is the place - arguably the coolest and friendliest spot in town.

Kristen Buckingham, a Los Angeles-based interior designer, has created a treasure filled showroom in the center of the La Cienega Design Quarter. With a mix of traditional and modern home goods both large and small scale, her showroom doubles as a design lab and retail space, open to anyone. Most of the time Kristen is busy with her design firm and full roster of clients. However, since opening her own showroom, she has been able to offer pieces that she has custom designed, and those she hunted down and restored.